Note:  This syllabus is included as a sample syllabus so new instructors can see how I address various issues like attendance, assignments, etc.  If you are willing to provide your own sample syllabi as examples, please contact me at the address below!

Instructor Contact Information

Dr. Scott Titsworth
Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts
116 Center for the Arts
Moorhead State University
Moorhead, MN   56560

Office:  236-2126
Home:  233-6074
E-Mail:  titswor@mhd1.moorhead.msus.edu
Office Hours:  MWF 9:00-11:00; TR 1:00-3:00 or by appointment

Course Description and Objectives

Principles of Interviewing is a course designed to teach you communication skills essential for your professional career.  Because this course is designed to teach you theoretical principles of interviewing as well as skills necessary for conducting successful interviews, we will strive to integrate concepts from the textbook into our activities.  After successful completion of this class, you should be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for taking part in several types of interviews including informative interviews, persuasive interviews, medical interviews, and job selection interviews.  More specifically, as a result of taking this class you should be able to:

1. Identify, explain, and apply general theoretical principles related to interviewing including the major types of interviews, the parties involved in interviews, the roles enacted during interviews, the role of perception in interviews, and the nature of communication interactions.
2. Identify the functions and techniques for the three major components of an interview: the opening, the body, and the closing.
3. Construct an interview guide containing a variety of primary and secondary questions following a sequence appropriate for the purpose of the interview.
4. With a partner, engage in two of the following specialized interviews: journalistic interview, survey interview, persuasive interview, performance interview, counseling interview, and/or health care interview.
5. Prepare a job description, cover letter, and resume appropriate for a position you intend to apply for within the next 5 years.
6. Answer questions during a mock employment interview based on the job description, cover letter, and resume you create.
7. Prepare a selection interview guide based on a job description, cover letter, and resume constructed by one of your peers.
8. Conduct a selection interview following appropriate EEO laws and interviewing principles discussed in the course.

Textbook and Readings

The text we will use in this class is:

    Stewart, C., & Cash, W.  (2000).  Interviewing: Principles and Practices, 9th ed.  New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

In addition, several handouts and readings will be made available on the course webpage which can be accessed from my home page:

Http://www.classweb.moorhead.msus.edu/titsworth

Course Policies

Attendance.  You are expected to not only be in class but to also make appropriate contributions to class discussion.  You are allowed three "free" absences on days you are not assigned to take part in an interview.   If you miss more than three classes, your final course grade will be lowered one-half letter grade for each additional absence.  Excused absences will be granted only when the reason for the absence can be documented in writing.  You may not miss a day when you are scheduled to perform an interview.  If you do miss your interview day and your absence is not excused, you will receive a zero for the assignment.  If your absence from your interview is excused, your interview will be made up as soon as possible to accommodate the schedule of the course.  Any misrepresentation regarding the reason for absences will result in a failing grade in the course.  I reserve the right to decide excused absences on a case-by-case basis.

Late Work Policy.  You are expected to complete assignments on the due date indicated on the daily schedule.  Late assignments will have an automatic 10% deducted.  If you must miss class on a day when a written assignment is due, you must make arrangements to get me your assignment before you leave or you can have another person bring me the assignment.  This policy is necessary so that I can return graded assignments in a reasonable amount of time.

Academic Misconduct.  Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will result in zero points for the assignment and or an "F" in the course.  I also reserve the right to inform the Academic Affairs office of any academic misconduct by students.  Students are encouraged to review the official university policy regarding academic misconduct found in the undergraduate bulletin.

Grading.  There are several assignments in this class.  Here is a list of those assignments with corresponding point values:

A standard grading scale (100%-90% = A, 89%-80% = B, 79%-70% = C, 69%-60% = D, and below 60% = F) will be used in the class. 

Statement on Special Needs.  I am more than willing to make any and all reasonable accommodations necessary for your success in this class.  If I can help you in any way (e.g., providing lecture notes, extended time for tests, etc.), please let me know.  You are also encouraged to contact the Student Disabilities Services office to take advantage of services they provide.

Description of Assignments

Detailed assignment sheets will be provided in class (those assignment sheets will also be posted on the course web page).  Briefly, here is a description of the major assignments:

• Journalistic Interview Assignment.  For this assignment you will perform the role of a news reporter and interview at least three people to write a story about some current event.  Successful completion of this assignment will require three steps.  First, you will research and construct a background bibliography of sources over the topic of your news story.  This bibliography must contain at least 5 published sources of information (material from the WWW can only count as 1 of those sources).  These sources should provide you with the background information necessary for conducting the interviews.  Second, you will select and interview at least three people with some expertise in the topic area.  Those people must confirm to me in writing (either provide them with a stamped postcard with my mailing address or have them e-mail me) that you conducted the interview.  Finally, you must write a news story based on your background research and interviews.  That news story should be at least three pages in length.  The story and bibliography must be typed and must conform to APA style.
• Persuasive Interview Assignment.  This assignment requires you to interview a classmate to gather information from them to help you make a "sales pitch" regarding a product or service that you select before the interview.  One example of this type of interview is when an insurance salesperson interviews someone to determine the best type of insurance package to offer them.  Alternatively, you may interview someone to determine what type of vehicle you should suggest they look at.   For this assignment you must prepare an interview guide with questions designed to elicit necessary information from your classmate.  During the interview, you will have approximately 10 minutes to interview your classmate and make a recommendation regarding a product or service.
• Medical Interview Assignment.  The large health sector in our community means that there are a number of jobs in the health industry appropriate for communication majors.  Although some of these jobs are in areas like hospital/clinic administration, several of these job areas require contact with patients.  In this assignment, you will learn basic skills needed for conducting a medical interview.   Each student in the class will be assigned to simulate a common medical ailment (e.g., "random pain," sprained ankle, headaches, allergies, etc.).  In the interview, you will be required to gather information from the simulated "patient" that a doctor could use to narrow potential diagnoses and treatments.   You will be required to construct an interview guide and complete a 10 minute interview with the "patient."
• Selection Interview Assignment.  Each of you will engage in a selection interview over the next couple of years.  This assignment teaches you basic skills necessary for this type of interview.  Each person in the class will create a job description for a job they would like to apply for.  Those job descriptions will be distributed to other class members who will serve as the "interviewer."   You will also prepare a resume and cover letter to give to the interviewer.   As the interviewer, you will be required to review the materials, prepare an interview guide, and conduct a selection interview conforming to state and national EEO laws.  As the interviewee, you will answer questions posed by the interviewer.   For this assignment, you are graded as both the interviewer and interviewee.
• Exams.  Although this course focuses on skills, we also learn theoretical principles related to communication in general and interviewing in particular.   You will be tested over that information.  Tests will include both objective (i.e., multiple choice, true false, matching) and subjective (i.e., short answer and essay) questions.  Comprehensive study guides will be provided prior to the tests.

Tentative Daily Schedule

Note: Please refer to the section on daily schedules and optional assignments to see options for the daily schedule.  The previous information in this syllabus is "generic" in the sense that it can be molded into virtually any daily schedule.